Step into the heart of Tokyo in June, and you’ll sweep up in the vibrant whirl of Sanno Matsuri. This grand festival, a lively blend of history, culture, and spirituality, transforms the city into a canvas of vivid colors, charming sounds, and rich traditions. One of Tokyo’s most esteemed events, Sanno Matsuri, invites you to step back in time and experience the city’s heritage in the most exhilarating way. So come, enjoy this spectacle, and become part of Tokyo’s living history.
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What is Sanno Matsuri?
Sanno Matsuri, held in mid-June, is one of Tokyo’s most famous festivals. The full version of the festival takes place in even-numbered years, while the Kanda Matsuri, another renowned festival, happens in odd-numbered years. The Sanno Festival is a week-long celebration with various events, the biggest of which occurs every other year.
The Grand Parade:
The heart of the Sanno Matsuri is a lively parade that travels through central Tokyo. This parade takes place over nine hours on one of the festival days.
The journey starts and ends at Hie Shrine, the shrine responsible for the festival. The shrine is home to the guardian deity of Tokyo, long connected with the city’s protection.
Historical Significance:
The Hie Shrine and the festival have ties to the influential Tokugawa family. When this family ruled Japan from Edo (Tokyo’s old name), the shrine and festival became symbols of the country’s political center and its rulers.
This association lent considerable prestige to the festival, elevating it to one of the country’s most significant cultural events. Now, the festival is a reminder of Tokyo’s vibrant past.
Modern-Day Celebrations:
The parade is smaller today to limit the disruption to city traffic. Still, it maintains the spirit of the festival.
About 500 people participate in the parade, dressed in bright costumes and carrying three portable shrines or ‘mikoshi.’ These shrines carry the Shinto gods around the city as part of the festival.
The Parade Route:
The parade begins at Hie Shrine, where a large straw ring stands for purification rituals. The procession then passes through several notable locations, including Yotsuya train station, Yasukuni Shrine, and the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Here, the chief priest offers prayers for the Emperor and Imperial family, a rare honor exclusive to this festival.
After a brief rest at Nihonbashi Hie Shrine, the parade continues through the city center before returning to Hie Shrine.
In short, Sanno Matsuri is a vibrant festival that provides an enjoyable and fascinating glimpse into Tokyo’s rich cultural heritage.
How to get there?
Nearest Station:
1) Akasaka Station
(Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
3 minutes walk(Exit-2)
2) Tameike-sanno Station
(Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/ Nanboku Line)
3 minutes walk(Exit-7)
Address:
2–10–5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100–0014
Official website:
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